Significant progress has been reported in talks held in Cairo towards a truce agreement and the release of hostages in Gaza, according to Egyptian state-linked media on Monday.
The ongoing war, which started with the October 7 attack, has spurred discussions involving various parties.
Israel has maintained pressure during the negotiations, signaling its readiness for potential military operations against Hamas in Rafah, located in the far-southern region of Gaza that has so far avoided a ground invasion.
In a recent move, Israel withdrew its forces from the southern Gaza Strip and the city of Khan Yunis, allowing displaced Palestinians to return to their homes in the heavily affected area.
However, Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant emphasized the need for readiness for future missions, particularly in Rafah near the Egyptian border.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, acknowledging the six months of conflict since the initial attack, described Israel as being “one step away from victory.” Despite this stance, Netanyahu highlighted the importance of reaching a deal during the truce talks, asserting that there would be no ceasefire without the release of hostages.
As international pressure mounts for the conflict to come to an end due to civilian casualties and extensive destruction in the Gaza Strip, the United States, a key ally of Israel, has called for a ceasefire, hostage release, and increased aid distribution.
Efforts involving negotiations in Cairo have seen the involvement of representatives from the United States, Egypt, and Qatar alongside delegations from Israel and Hamas. Egyptian media outlet Al-Qahera reported progress on certain key points of agreement, signaling a positive trajectory in the discussions. It mentioned that the Qatari and Hamas delegations had temporarily left Cairo to finalize terms before returning within two days.
The United States and Israeli delegations are anticipated to leave Cairo for further consultations over the following 48 hours, signaling a continued push for a comprehensive agreement on the truce and the release of hostages in Gaza.
